Police, community and calendar briefs for Nov. 28, 2012

Published: Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at 10:26 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at 10:26 p.m.

Ocala police are looking for two men they believe committed a home invasion early Sunday and severely beat up three people, including a juvenile.

Detectives said the masked men, who were armed, barged into a residence at Paddock Park Apartments at 2901 SW 41st St. and demanded drugs from the occupants.

One of the residents was hit repeatedly in the head and face and had severe lacerations. A second man was pistol whipped. A teenager was hit in the head and kicked in the back and side, according to reports.

The gunmen escaped with an undetermined amount of marijuana, officials said. The incident was reported at 12:22 a.m. The injured were taken to a hospital.

Police believe they know who the suspects are, but are not yet revealing their identity.

Anyone with information can call Detective Mat Steckman at 369-7147, the Ocala Police Department at 369-7000, the Crime Line at 369-7061 or Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Tipsters can text “ocalapd” and a tip to TIP411.

3 women charged with panhandling in public road

After charging three women with violating the city’s ordinance of panhandling in a public roadway, police are alerting residents to be on the look-out for people claiming to represent charities, but who instead may be collecting money for their own benefit.

Sgt. Erica Hay was driving west Friday on Southwest 19th Avenue Road, approaching Southwest 27th Avenue, when she saw three women wearing green vests and collecting money. Hay called for back-up and she and other officers talked with the women, who said they collected $159.09 in an hour.

The women could not provide information for a church or charity, proper paperwork or any kind of ledger or list of contributors or donors.

Shellia R. Boyd, 51; Mabel Harvey Coleman, 50; and Stephanie R. Hicks, 31; were arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail.

Police officials said they want people to be aware about requests for money, especially during the holidays, and to determine as best they can the validity of such requests.

Man bitten by Sheriff’s K-9 is out of the hospital

A man bitten by a Sheriff’s Office K-9 after he was seen fleeing from a stolen tractor-trailer has been released from a hospital and booked at the Marion County Jail.

Alexander A. Vidal, 24, has been charged with cargo theft, grand theft of a vehicle and resisting without violence. His bond is set at $61,000 and he has a Jan. 2 court date.

Sheriff’s detectives said Vidal and his alleged accomplice, Ruben Fuentes, 39, were seen getting out of the stolen tractor-trailer Saturday morning at a Pilot truck stop. The men ran and Fuentes was caught by deputies. Vidal was apprehended by K-9 Thor. Authorities said the tractor was stolen from an Ocala business and the trailer, which contained $146,000 worth of goods, was stolen from a truck stop.

COMMUNITY

Navy schedules times for live bombing training

Navy training schedules indicate that live bombing will take place for intermittent periods of time between 10 a.m. and noon Thursday, Nov. 29, at the Pinecastle Range Complex in the Ocala National Forest

For noise complaints, call 800-874-5059.

Santa will start calling registered boys and girls

Santa will call registered boys and girls between ages 3 and 7 years from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 4-6. Children must be registered by Nov. 30.

Registration forms are available at the Recreation and Parks Administration Office, 828 NE Eighth Ave., Ocala.

For more information, visit www.ocalafl.org/recpark.

Christmas Angels Giveaway event planned

Bridge to Hope Inc., Pastor with a Purpose and United Brothers for Christ Inc. are hosting a Christmas Angels Giveaway event from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 8, at the E.D. Croskey Recreation Center at 1510 NW 4th St., Ocala.

The event will include entertainment, food, prizes and giveaways of clothing and one toy per child, on a first-come, first-served basis. There also will be a raffle drawing for a bicycle.

CALENDAR

BASKETBRAWL: A “BasketBrawl” game between employees of Marion County Public Schools and local Publix stores begins at 7 p.m. at Forest High School, 5000 SE Maricamp Road, Ocala. $3-$5; benefits United Way of Marion County. (732-9696)